Everton bide time as Martinez considers Wigan exit

Everton could move for Roberto Martinez by the middle of the week after talks between the Wigan boss and his chairman

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez could be announced as the new Everton manager within the week (Darren Staples)

EVERTON will await the outcome of further talks between Roberto Martinez and the Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan, before finally moving to make Martinez their new manager.

Should Martinez surprise everyone by deciding to stay with the relegated club, a management structure involving Phil Neville or another former player, David Weir, is Everton’s likely fallback option.

A formal approach for Martinez could come by the middle of this week. Martinez, who had a heart-to-heart with his chairman on Thursday, asked to be allowed to consider his future over the weekend. He is expected to meet Whelan again in the next 48 hours.

In a week where the managerial merry-go-round is set to gather pace, Stoke are set to close in on a replacement for Tony Pulis, with Mark Hughes ahead of Gus Poyet and Roberto Di Matteo in the running and Martinez an outside candidate.